CA SB824

Requires individual rehabilitation plans for youth in secure treatment facilities to describe how programming will facilitate the ward's potential transition to less restrictive programs, including identifying specific progress measures and available programs

Mandates courts hold a hearing before approving a ward's individual rehabilitation plan, with prosecutors and ward's counsel receiving the plan at least 2 court days in advance

Requires courts at each 6-month review hearing to assess the ward's progress toward transferring to a less restrictive program and authorizes courts to make or modify orders to improve and prioritize that progress

Requires courts to order transfer to a less restrictive program (such as halfway houses, camps, or community programs) if the ward has made substantial progress and the court finds transfer will better facilitate rehabilitation plan goals than continued secure confinement

Imposes new duties on county probation departments for developing rehabilitation plans, creating a state-mandated local program with potential state reimbursement for costs